Indonesian cleric calls terror charges a "joke"

[JURIST] Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, who is on trial for last year's hotel bombing in Bali, has called his trial a joke Thursday, saying that the US and Australia are masterminding his trial. Bashir, who is alleged to be the spiritual leader of militant Islamic network Jemaah Islamiah, faces multiple charges including conspiring, planning and inciting acts of terrorism, using his position to influence and persuade others and withholding information. Presenting their opening arguments, Bashir's defense lawyers called the charges against Bashir a "legal fiction." Channel NewsAsia has more. AFP has more on Bashir's Thursday court appearance.

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